India’s luxury housing story is quietly changing gear. Once known mainly for high-end private developments with local branding, the country is now walking into an elite global club led by international hospitality, lifestyle, and design labels.
According to the latest Branded Residences 2025–26 Report by Savills, India has officially entered the world’s Top 10 markets for branded residences. This places the country alongside long-established leaders like the United States, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Globally, the branded residences sector is in clear expansion mode. The number of projects worldwide is expected to touch 910 schemes by 2025, up sharply from just a few hundred a decade ago. What is striking is how swiftly India has moved from the margins to the mainstream of this market.
From Niche to Global League
For years, branded homes were largely offshore indulgences for Indian buyers. Towers in Dubai and resort villas in Thailand or Bali served as trophy second homes. Now, the same format is finding firm ground within India’s own luxury districts.
The Asia-Pacific region has seen branded residence supply grow by 55% in the past five years, and India has been singled out as one of the main engines of this growth, along with Vietnam and Thailand. The shift reflects a deeper transformation underway in Indian wealth creation. Corporate profits, startup exits, and second-generation business families are producing a class of buyers who value both global branding and long-term asset security.
In cities such as Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Bengaluru, the format is gaining credibility as a distinct asset class rather than a marketing gimmick. Savills categorises these Indian metros as “Emerging Cities”, a segment that historically offers stronger price-premium upside than mature global luxury hubs.
Globally, branded residences command an average price premium of 33% over comparable non-branded homes. In India, early evidence already shows higher buyer confidence, faster absorption, and stronger trust when reputed international brands collaborate with local developers.
Why Dubai Still Dominates—and Why Indians Matter There
While India is gaining ground, Dubai remains the undisputed capital of branded living. The emirate currently hosts 64 completed branded residence projects with 87 more under development, making it the world’s largest hub for such properties.
Dubai’s zero income tax regime, seamless global connectivity, and lifestyle infrastructure continue to pull capital from across the world. Indian high-net-worth individuals form one of the largest buyer groups in these projects, turning India–Dubai into one of the most active cross-border luxury real estate corridors globally.
For many Indian investors, branded homes in Dubai offer three things at once: stable rental yields, lifestyle access, and capital protection in a strong global currency. That relationship, however, is no longer one-sided. Global brands increasingly see India itself as a long-term luxury growth market rather than merely a source of overseas buyers.
Weekend Homes and the Rise of the “Two-Hour Escape”
One of the most important shifts highlighted by the Savills report is the growing global love for branded weekend homes. The idea of a high-end residence located within a two-hour drive from a major city is gaining traction as work and leisure become more fluid.
India’s geography is perfectly suited to this trend. Corridors such as:
- Mumbai to Alibaug and Lonavala
- Delhi to Rishikesh and Neemrana
- Bengaluru to Coorg
are all emerging as fertile ground for wellness-led, nature-themed, and lifestyle-driven branded developments. These are not just holiday homes anymore. For many buyers, they are becoming part-time primary residences supported by hybrid work cultures.
Brands Beyond Hotels Are Entering the Game
Another notable trend reshaping the market is the growing presence of non-hotel brands. Fashion houses, automotive labels, architectural studios, and design firms are stepping into real estate branding. This widens the creative and commercial canvas for Indian developers seeking premium partnerships.
Savills also flags the arrival of future-oriented categories driven by sports, gaming, and entertainment. For India, this alignment could not be more natural. The country hosts the world’s largest cricket economy, a fast-surging gaming sector, and one of the most prolific film industries globally. These cultural engines are increasingly being seen as potential residential brands in their own right.
India’s Branded Housing Decade Is Just Beginning
What ties all these strands together is a deeper shift in how Indian luxury buyers think about homes. The modern affluent buyer is no longer paying only for square footage and location. They are buying into operating standards, lifestyle curation, brand credibility, and long-term asset protection.
For global hospitality and lifestyle firms, India offers something equally powerful: scale. With a rapidly expanding affluent base, improving infrastructure, and rising global visibility, the country is gradually positioning itself as a defining market for the next phase of branded residential growth.
The Savills report makes one thing clear. Branded residences are no longer the preserve of a few resort destinations or financial hubs. They are becoming a global lifestyle product. And India, after years of watching from the sidelines, is now firmly playing on the centre stage.
